Ridley Scottis one of the most inconsistent filmmakers ever. After a good movie, you can almost always expect a disappointing one. But that’s the opinion of film critics, an honorable clan that the director claims he no longer pays attention to. “I haven’t read critiques ever since. Because if it’s a good one, you can get a swollen head and forget yourself… and if it’s a bad one, you’re so depressed that it’s debilitating,” hetold The Hollywood Reporter.
By “since,” Scott is referring to the early ‘80s when one critic destroyedBlade Runner.The filmmaker recalls that the review was four pages of destruction, but he chose to use it as motivation. “I framed those pages, and they’ve been in my office for 30 years to remind me there’s only one critic that counts, and that’s you,” he added. If you are like Scott and you believe cinema ought to be judged by the ticket buyers, then it’s always great to look at theRotten Tomatoesaudience scores, also known as the Popcornmeter.
These are the best Ridley Scott movies, according to audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
10’The Last Duel' (2021)
Popcornmeter: 81%
The Last Duel
Based on Eric Jager’s 2004 bookThe Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France,The Last Duelis the story ofJean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), a knight in medieval France, who challenges his former friend, squire Jacques le Gris (Adam Driver), to a major judicial duel after Jean’s wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), accuses Jacques of sexually assaulting her. Events leading up to the iconic duel are split into three distinct chapters, showing each main character’s perspective.
Justice by Sword
Scott is always good at the technical side of filmmaking. It’s the scripts that let him down sometimes. Thankfully, all is well here.Nicole Holofcener’s screenplay captures the wit and bravery of the characters, while also illuminating their crueler side. Additionally, the filmoffers effective criticism of systematic misogyny while delivering some of the most jaw-dropping climactic action sequences. Your heart will start racing when both men lose their mounts while jousting and start fighting hand-to-hand.
9’Thelma & Louise' (1991)
Popcornmeter: 82%
Thelma & Louise
InThelma & Louise,two friendsplan to go on a weekend vacation to a fishing cabin in the mountains as a way to infuse some excitement into their dull lives. Thelma (Geena Davis), a housewife, is in a bad marriage, while Louise (Susan Sarandon), a waitress, is lonely since her musician boyfriend is on the road most of the time. Things heat up whenLouise kills a man who tried to rape Thelma, forcing the two to go on a run.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Has there ever been a betterroad moviethanThelma & Louise?Sarandon is brilliant. Her skill in capturing Louise’s impish sense of freedom and insouciance makes the daring character come fully alive on screen.Davis is Sarandon’s perfect counterweight with her increasingly anxious portrayal of Thelma. And the movie sure looks good. Working off a magnificent screenplay by Callie Khouri,Scott tells the story through high-contrast imagery and landscape-focused cinematography. Watch out for the iconic freeze-frame in the dying minutes.
8’The Duellists' (1977)
Popcornmeter: 83%
The Duellists
If you hatedNapoleon,The Duellistsstands tall as a bettermovie about the Napoleonic Wars. Based on a short story in John Conrad’s anthology book,A Set of Six, the filmcovers the lifelong feud between two French officers— the obsequious Gabriel Feraud (Harvey Keitel) and the proud aristocrat Armand d’Hubert (Keith Carradine).When scheming fails, they opt for swordfights.
An Impressive Debut
The Duellistswas Scott’s first-ever movie, and it confirmed that a true talent had arrived. Inspired (believe it or not) by real events, Scott’s rousing tale of a rather senseless rivalry ispure cinema by way of feel-good chaos. Gerald Vaughan-Hughes’s even-handed screenplay finds joy in the ambitions of the two men and poignancy in their surging hostility. Bonus: There’sgreat insight into what made Napoleon’s troops so successful.
7’House of Gucci' (2021)
House of Gucci
House of Gucciintroduces us to Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an ambitious outsider who seemingly strikes gold when she marries Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), heir to the Gucci fashion empire. Following a cold, if not downright hostile, reception by Maurizio’s family, she perseveres andschemes have him gain control.But what is she to do whenhe opts to leave her for another woman?
“Evil Eyes” on the Prize
Nominated for Best Makeup & Hairstyling at the Oscars, this marriage-is-bad tale isa feast for the eyes. Levitating in the spirit of other great opulence-laden biographical outings likeThe ApprenticeandThe Wolf of Wall Street,it thrills from start to finish. The soundtrack, featuring contributions from the likes of Donna Summer and David Bowie, helps break the ice, andDriver’s touching performance as a man who isn’t fully aware of the manipulation of a spouse is statuette-worthy.
6’Gladiator' (2000)
Popcornmeter: 87%
Gladiatorstars Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius,a Roman general whose fate takes a nosedive when Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the ambitious and malicious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and takes the throne. Condemned to slavery, Maximuslearns to fight in the arena and rises through the gladiatorial ranks, determined to get his revenge.
Pure Blockbuster Mayhem
If you’re itching for someold-fashioned, action-packed, high-tonedand slightly melodramatic Roman Empire tale, here’s your movie. Recreation of the era is lurid and meticulous; little wonder the epic historical drama was nominated for visual effects and costume design among 10 other Oscars. Cinephiles still argue whether this is a bettersword and sandal outingthan Stanley Kubrick’sSpartacus. It’s better to watch both and be the judge.
5’Black Hawk Down' (2002)
Popcornmeter: 88%
Black Hawk Down
Black Hawk Downisa recreation of the harrowing 1993 Battle of Mogadishuwhen U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force operators were sent into Somalia to capture a warlord who had proclaimed himself president.The mission quickly went south when two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down, trapping the units on hostile grounds.
No Way Out
Based on the 1999 eponymous non-fiction book by journalist Mark Bowden,Black Hawk Downsumptuously serves marvelous action sequences while maintaining a tone of cultural empathy. The entire ensemble cast delivers, particularly Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, and a young Tom Hardy. Jason Isaacs also lends warmth and intelligence as a CPT with a particular fondness for war.
4’American Gangster' (2007)
Popcornmeter: 90%
American Gangster
American Gangsteris about the legendary criminal career of Frank Lucas (portrayed by Denzel Washington), a gangster from La Grange, North Carolina, who served under Harlem crime kingpin Bumpy Johnson before becoming one of America’s notorious drug dealers. Lucas isreputed for smuggling heroin into the United States using coffins of dead servicemen being brought back home from the Vietnam War. In the movie, he is hunted down by Newark Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe).
A Gangster You’ll Admire
Penned by Steven Zaillan (best known forSchindler’s List, this splendid gangster flickseamlessly provides commentary on crime, upper-class mores, and the American dream at large. Under Scott’s guiding hand, Crowe and Washington are a joy to watch. You’ll never forget that 10-second Idris Elba cameo where his character, plagued by haughty airs and all, gets downed on the street by Lucas in front of everyone.
3’Blade Runner' (1982)
Popcornmeter: 91%
Blade Runner
Set in a futuristic version of Los Angeles,Blade Runnerdrops us right beside Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who works as a “blade runner” —a special law enforcement officer tasked with hunting down bioengineered humanoids named “Replicants.”These humanoids were banned from Earth after revolting against humans, but some of them have returned.
Changing the Game
Blade Runneris one ofthe few sci-fi films to get a stamp of approval from real scientistsand iscredited with popularizing the cyberpunk sci-fi sub-genre. As always, Scott’smagnificent cinematographycaptures all the little details (like falling signage) beautifully, whileFord’s performance reminds us why he became such a big deal in the ‘80s. Besides that, the film brought Hollywood’s attention to author Philip K. Dick’s amazing literary work, resulting in more adaptations.
Ridley Scott’s 10 Favorite Movies
Ridley Scott has had an exceptional career full of incredible movies, but what are his favorite films ever? Here’s the 10 he loves most.
2’The Martian' (2015)
The Martian
Based on Andy Weir’s similarly titled 2011 novel,The Martianstars Matt Damon as Mark Watney (Matt Damon), an astronaut and member of the Ares III crewed mission to Mars in 2035. Predictably, everything goes wrong when a powerful dust storm emerges. Mark wakes up and learns that his colleagues left him behind, thinking he was dead. Now he has to find ways to survive.
Will He Get Back Home?
This detailed lost-in-space sci-fi flick providesa harrowing portrait of one of the least likely scenarios in space missions.Once abandoned, Watney doesn’t surrender himself to fate. He doesn’t start drowning in bitterness, regret, and self-pity. Watney gets to action, going as far as to create water using his scientific knowledge and finding food where there is none to be found. Despite the fact that no one has ever been to Mars, the filmfeels very realistic. Part of that is because James L. Green, the Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, was on board as a consultant.
1’Alien' (1979)
Popcornmeter: 94%
Alien, is aboutthe crew of the Nostromo, who decide to investigate after discovering a distress signal from a mysterious planet.There, they find a derelict alien spaceship, and upon checking it, a vicious creature attacks. But that’s just the beginning of the horrors they are about to face. Led by Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the crew soon finds itself in a bloody fight for survival.
Scott’s Greatest Hit
Weaver is outstandingin what is arguably her greatest performance, aided by asolid screenplay by Dan O’Bannon and Scott’s extraordinary camerawork. Memorable, terrifying, unflinching action sequences also evoke the horrors of space travel. In addition to that, you’ll be in awe of the alien creatures and environments, designed by the legendary Swiss artist H. R. Giger.
